"Master, my grandson..." Ni Kun knelt on both knees, leaning slightly forward, looking at Liu Chen with a worried expression, carefully asking about Ni Taimai's condition.
Liu Chen looked at Ni Kun expressionlessly and said indifferently, "No need to worry. Your grandson leaving this place was actually a narrow escape. His Luck has already improved a lot. With the help of my Legacy, cultivating to Rank Five should not be difficult."
Liu Chen turned his head and looked in Ni Taimai's direction, using the Luck Inspection Gu. He saw that the black mud Luck that was originally above his head had now solidified, like a black stone. However, within this black mud, a sharp Sword Qi Luck had grown, emitting a chilling light that made people's hearts palpitate.
There was even a sign of turning the tide of Luck, which was also the opportunity that made Liu Chen notice this young man.
In fact, the young man's Luck at this time was even more prosperous than that of Ni Kun, the Fifth Rank Gu Master he had subdued.
"Death calamity!" Ni Kun, upon hearing these two words, was struck as if by lightning, his body trembling violently, his face instantly turning pale. He dared not look back at his clansmen behind him, seemingly having already guessed the worst outcome.
However, he had already become Liu Chen's slave and could not even conceive of disobedience. Even if he were told to slaughter his own kin with his own hands, he would not hesitate in the slightest.
Seeing this, Liu Chen's lips curled into a half-smile, and he said slowly, "Don't overthink things. I am not one to exterminate all. Your Ni Family still has great use to me. If the Mud Phase Bloodline were to be completely slaughtered, wouldn't that be too much of a pity?"
Liu Chen's words were like a clear spring flowing into Ni Kun's heart, allowing him to breathe a slight sigh of relief. However, the unease in his heart had not completely dissipated. After all, Liu Chen's methods were unfathomable, and no one could predict his next move.
Compared to killing all the Ni Family clansmen, Liu Chen seemed more interested in the Immortal Gu refined into the Ni Family's descendants' Bloodline. Especially with his Refinement Path Grandmaster Realm, the mysterious Refinement Path methods stirred his desire for research. The many clansmen of the Ni Family had, in his eyes, become prototypes of Immortal Gu.
"Dong dong dong..."
A dull and urgent bell rang throughout Muddy Mountain, as if a giant beast trapped in the mountain was roaring. The bell reverberated through the mountains, penetrating the dense forests, crossing the rugged mountain paths, and reaching the ears of every Gu Master in the Ni Family.
This bell was no ordinary bell; it was the Ni Family's emergency signal, only rung at critical moments concerning the Family's survival. So, when the bell rang, all the Ni Family Gu Masters knew that something extremely important had happened.
In an instant, the entire Ni Family was in an uproar. Gu Masters put down their tasks and rushed back to the Ni Family Mountain Village's main camp at the fastest speed.
There were thousands of them. Among these Gu Masters, there were greenhorn newcomers and experienced veterans; there were low-level Gu Masters of First Rank and Second Rank, and also Advanced Gu Masters of Third Rank and Rank Four. Among them, there were as many as four Elders of Rank Four Gu Master level. They were the pillars of the Ni Family, highly respected in terms of strength and status.
These four Elders immediately came to the Family's deliberation hall, wanting to find Ni Kun, the Clan Chief of the Ni Family, and ask what had happened. However, when they stepped into the deliberation hall, they were stunned by the scene before them.
They saw that a strange young man was seated in the main seat of the deliberation hall. And their Clan Chief, Ni Kun, was respectfully standing by his side, serving tea and water to the young man, his attitude unusually humble.
"Clan Chief, why did you ring the clan bell?" Ni Ren, one of the four Ni Family Elders, was the youngest present. Although he was only in his forties, his anxious expression was undisguised. He stared wide-eyed at Ni Kun, waiting for his answer.
In contrast, the other three Four-Turn Elders appeared much calmer. They were even a few years older than Ni Kun, some already with white hair and brows.
However, faced with the current situation, they were not as impulsive as Ni Ren, but remained silent, clearly wary of the young man's identity.
"You go and explain to them, then gather the Ni Family clansmen." Liu Chen picked up the tea Ni Kun had just served, took a light sip, and then casually instructed Ni Kun.
Seeing this, Ni Kun quickly bowed and replied, "Yes."
Then, he turned to face the Four-Turn Elders standing before him. His slightly restrained Aura instantly surged out like a broken dam, and in the blink of an eye, it returned to the Rank Five level.
His voice was steady and powerful, revealing an unquestionable firmness: "Everyone, this time our Ni Family is fortunate to have received the favor of this Immortal. The Immortal intends for our Ni Family to become his subordinate. Therefore, I made a decisive decision and ordered the clan bell to be rung, summoning the clansmen. This is undoubtedly the fastest and most effective method at present."
Ni Kun's words echoed in the air, causing everyone present to tremble.
Especially Ni Xin, the Grand Elder of the Ni Family, upon hearing this, he suddenly raised his head, his gaze sharp, looking directly at the young man referred to as "Immortal."
One must know that the Ni Family had not seen a Gu Immortal for hundreds of years, and the clansmen had almost given up hope of becoming Immortal. However, at this moment, a Gu Immortal actually came to their door and expressed his intention for the Ni Family to become his subordinate. This was truly unbelievable.
An indescribable fear welled up in Grand Elder Ni Xin's heart, as if a chill slowly rose from his spine. He couldn't help but wonder, the Ni Family had been able to condense an Immortal Gu from their Bloodline for generations, could it be that this was the true purpose of this Gu Immortal?
Immortal Gu are unique. The refining method of these Immortal Gu, which were refined into the Ni Family's Bloodline, was unique, and no other method could re-refine them. It was precisely because of this that the Ni Family was able to avoid being coveted and spied upon by Gu Immortals.
The Legacy of the Five Phases of Heaven Survey and the associated gamble were only circulated among the descendants of the Ni Family and did not attract much attention from other forces. However, it was still difficult to determine whether the sudden appearance of this Gu Immortal was a blessing or a curse.
"But, is it not too rash to summon all the clansmen just for this?" Ni Li, the Third Elder of the Ni Family, questioned this decision, "If... if something unexpected happens, the consequences could be disastrous." He secretly pondered various possible bad outcomes in his heart, but some words were truly difficult to utter.
Ni Yi, the Second Elder of the Ni Family, said tactfully, "I wonder, Your Excellency, our Ni Family is just an ordinary, unremarkable Mountain Village. We truly don't understand why we would catch your Dharma Eye?" He tried to use humble words to defuse the tense situation.
However, Liu Chen responded impolitely, "How can the descendants of the Five Phases of Heaven Survey's Mud Phase be called an ordinary Mountain Village? Moreover, I have come this time to take all of you from the Ni Family away. I want to see who dares to stop me!" His words revealed a powerful confidence and determination.
"Our Ni Family is descended from the Mud Phase, how can we be slaughtered at will? You, with a single word, want our Ni Family to submit? How can there be such a simple matter in this world!" Four-Turn Elder Ni Ren was furious, his face flushed with rage. His eyes were wide, his face bright red, and veins bulged on his forehead as if they were about to burst. His voice was deafening, like an enraged lion roaring to fight the enemy to the death.
No sooner said than done, before Ni Ren's words had even finished, he lunged at Liu Chen like an arrow shot from a bowstring. His speed was as fast as lightning, his figure like a phantom. He was clearly truly enraged, intent on instantly putting Liu Chen to death.
"Stop!" Grand Elder Ni Zhi, seeing this, inwardly cried out in alarm. He hastily tried to stop him, but it was too late. Ni Ren's speed was too fast; he simply couldn't intervene in time.
With a "swish," Ni Ren's head slid from his neck, his body separated from his head. His body even maintained its forward momentum, and blood splattered from his neck, covering the ground. His body then collapsed, lifeless, and on his face, the angry expression remained, as if his resentment towards Liu Chen had not yet dissipated.
All of this happened too quickly, like a nightmare, catching everyone off guard. The crowd looked at this scene in horror, momentarily stunned. The entire scene was silent, with only the pungent smell of blood lingering in the air.
And Liu Chen, sitting high above, didn't even lift his eyes. He was expressionless, as if none of this concerned him. His coldness and composure formed a sharp contrast with Ni Ren's rage, making people sigh at the vast difference between a Gu Immortal and a Gu Master, like the difference between clouds and mud.
"Immortal, please calm your anger, we are willing to submit!" Third Elder Ni Yi, seeing the unfavorable situation, immediately knelt down and begged for mercy. His voice trembled, filled with fear and awe. Immediately after, the other two Elders also knelt down and begged for mercy, their bodies trembling, having completely lost their former dignity.
Before Liu Chen, the Rank Four Gu Masters even lost the ability to activate their Gu. The methods of Immortals were indeed beyond what these Mortals could imagine. At this moment, they were completely awed by Liu Chen's power. Besides kneeling and begging for mercy, they had no other choice. Because they knew that if they did not agree to Liu Chen's demands, today would likely be the day their Ni Family was exterminated.
With Ni Yi serving as a warning, the Elders of the Ni Family finally recognized reality. They realized that further resistance would be futile. Even their Clan Chief Ni Kun had already surrendered, so what other choice did these ordinary clansmen have?
Just then, the Third Rank Elders who had arrived later also appeared. When they saw Ni Ren's corpse, their hearts trembled, awed by the bloody scene. However, when they learned that the Ni Family had actually gained the favor of a Gu Immortal, the fear on their faces was instantly replaced by excitement.
These Elders began to whisper among themselves, seemingly very surprised by the news. Their gazes occasionally swept over the surrounding clansmen, their eyes flashing with strange light.
Soon, the Ni Family clansmen were gathered together. They stood in the open space of the Mountain Village, discussing among themselves, filled with doubt and unease.
"What exactly happened?"
"Why doesn't it feel urgent at all?"
"Why haven't the Clan Chief and the Elders shown themselves yet?"
Everyone speculated, one after another, but no one could truly explain what had happened. They could only wait anxiously, hoping to get an explanation as soon as possible.
"Look, what is that!"
Suddenly, the originally clear sky abruptly darkened, as if covered by a massive dark cloud. The Ni Family clansmen looked up in astonishment, only to see a colossal whale, so vast it obscured the sky, appearing above Muddy Mountain.
This was the desolate beast Flying Blue Whale, its body immensely huge, its enormous shadow covering the entire Muddy Mountain, instilling fear in people's hearts. Its body was a deep blue, complementing the darkness of the sky, making it appear even more mysterious and majestic.
Before the Ni Family clansmen could even turn to flee, a jaw-dropping scene unfolded.
Where the Flying Blue Whale was located, it was as if a giant eraser had swept through. Both the Ni Family clansmen and a part of Muddy Mountain instantly vanished without a trace, as if they had never existed.
This bizarre scene left everyone dumbfounded, completely unable to comprehend its principle. The Ni Family Elders standing by were even more profoundly shocked by the Flying Blue Whale's ability. They stared wide-eyed, their faces filled with astonishment as they watched this incredible scene.
"Indeed, it is the method of an Immortal. This old man is impressed!" one of the Ni Family Elders exclaimed, his voice filled with awe. The other Elders also echoed, becoming even more impressed and reverent towards Liu Chen's strength.
Liu Chen smiled slightly at everyone's reaction and said to Ni Kun, "You all should go and gather your clansmen. My immortal aperture is relatively scarce in Earth Dao resources, so from now on, your Ni Family will cultivate the Sword Dao."
After saying that, he waved his hand, sending Ni Kun, the other Ni Family clansmen, and the Flying Blue Whale back into his immortal aperture, and gave them several Sword Dao Legacies.
After doing all this, Liu Chen no longer bothered with them, turning and leaving, leaving behind a group of Ni Family clansmen still immersed in shock.
He fearlessly continued to search for treasure chests throughout Southern Border. However, he remained helpless against some super force support points.
After all, with his current Rank 6 cultivation, he was far from enough to directly confront those powerful super forces. These super resource points would have to wait until he obtained the Immortal Path Killer Move Once Acquainted Upon Meeting before he would have the confidence to explore them.
In the hidden corners of Southern Border, he silently explored various Legacy grounds. The various treasure chests within allowed him to obtain many true Legacy memories, gradually improving his various school Realms.
Not only that, he also cleverly imitated the Blood Sea Old Ancestor, leaving thousands of Legacies in various corners of Southern Border. These Legacies were like seeds waiting to sprout, quietly awaiting discovery by destined individuals. This was also preparation for his own future plans.
His various school Realms had significantly improved. However, at the same time, he also realized a problem: as his Realm continued to rise, Mortal true Legacies were becoming increasingly limited in their help to him.